Fuel Surcharge Calculator

How It Works

1. Pick the program type

   Choose standard formula, step pattern, or flat percent of linehaul. These are local planning patterns only; the written contract controls the actual program.

2. Enter current and base diesel prices

   Use the contract index and date, an EIA national or regional on-highway diesel price, a fuel-card record, or another price basis named in the agreement. The base diesel value is also a contract term, not a universal default.

3. Enter truck MPG

   Use the MPG specified by the program or a route-specific weighted planning MPG. A lower MPG increases the standard formula output, so this value needs contract or fleet-record support before billing.

4. Enter loaded miles, total miles, and FSC paid-on basis

   Total miles = loaded plus deadhead. FSC Paid On determines the basis: most contracts pay FSC on loaded miles only, but some pay on all miles run for the shipper including deadhead to and from the pickup. Read the contract carefully.

5. For step patterns, enter the interval and rate

   Step interval, step rate, base price, and rounding are private program terms. Enter them from the rate confirmation or fuel addendum before relying on the comparison.

6. Read the side-by-side reference table

   The reference rows are generic pattern checks, not branded rate tables. Use them to spot assumptions that deserve contract review, then verify the actual written program before quoting or billing.

Built For

• Owner-operator screening a load against a written FSC program before accepting the rate
• Carrier or 3PL contract review comparing a proposed FSC program against a standard formula estimate
• Accountant or controller preparing questions before checking an FSC invoice line against the contract
• Owner-operator testing linehaul-only pricing when diesel is rising
• Hot shot operator setting their own FSC for direct-customer bidding on Permian or Bakken work
• Broker or dispatcher explaining an FSC assumption while keeping the contract terms visible
• New owner-op understanding why their take-home dropped when diesel jumped from $4 to $5 even though the load board rate did not change

Features & Capabilities

Three Planning Patterns

Standard per-mile formula, step pattern, and flat percentage of linehaul. Switch between them with one click while keeping the same source-boundary warnings.

Side-by-Side Pattern Comparison

Generic reference rows show how different assumptions move the estimate on the same load. They are not carrier, broker, shipper, or DAT rate matrices.

Effective Rate Chart Across Diesel Range

A line chart shows how the effective $/mile (linehaul + FSC) rises with diesel price from $2.50 to $6.00. A horizontal dashed line marks the without-FSC rate. The current diesel price gets a marker. Use it to communicate fuel risk to a customer or driver.

Margin Protection Output

Tells you in dollars per mile and total per load how much margin the FSC is protecting. A heavy FSC ($0.50 per mile or more) is real money against fuel volatility. A light FSC ($0.10 per mile or less) is symbolic.

Verdict Tier Coloring

No FSC, Light, Standard, Heavy, and Severe tiers based on the FSC per mile output. Helps you communicate FSC magnitude to customers and dispatchers without quoting raw numbers.

Tier-1 Branded PDF Export

Full FSC report including the comparison table, source pointers, source-boundary warnings, methodology, and inputs. Useful for explaining assumptions without turning the estimate into contract approval.

Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions